Chi Muzhen arched a brow, her eyes betraying no emotion. "The fact that I'm calling you should tell you I've already made up my mind." A smile touched Shen Tian’s lips as she started the car. "I've been telling you to dump Huo Yunting for ages. You poured your heart and soul into getting his leg treated, and all the while he was still entangled with that sister of yours overseas. He's a total scumbag! Screw men. You're better off making money!" As Shen Tian's tirade grew more heated, so did her speed, forcing a small laugh from Chi Muzhen. "Calm down. I'd rather not escape the coffin of marriage just to end up in a real one." Hearing her friend still had the heart to joke, Shen Tian finally breathed a sigh of relief. "So," she began tentatively, "what's your plan now?" If Chi Muzhen hadn't called, she would have gone looking for her soon enough anyway. "I'll take some time off first. How are things at the company?" For the past few years, Chi Muzhen had poured all her energy into Huo Yunting, leaving MY, the fashion company she had founded, in the hands of its shareholders. Aside from collecting dividends, she hadn't been involved in its affairs for three years. She hadn't even checked her bank account to see how much she had, but she trusted that if they'd stuck to the business plan she'd laid out, things couldn't be too bad. At this, the expression on Shen Tian’s face shifted. She sighed. "Let's talk about that after you've had some rest..." Chi Muzhen raised a brow. From her friend's reaction, she could guess things were not going well. Still, she didn't have the energy to think about taking back the company right now. She nodded. "Alright, just take me to the airport then." "Where are you planning to go?" "Haven't decided. I'll just pick a place when I get there." Chi Muzhen rested her hand on the car door, her fingers drumming a listless rhythm. A calm facade masked the bone-deep exhaustion she couldn't hide. Shen Tian sighed silently. It seemed that even the most brilliant people could lose all reason when it came to love. When they arrived at the airport, Chi Muzhen got out and looked at Shen Tian. "Could you take my luggage to the villa at Chengbei Yushuwan for me?" "Of course. How long do you think you'll be gone?" "About a month, I'd guess." "Okay. I'll be waiting!" Chi Muzhen gave a faint wave, then turned and walked into the airport. … One month later. The Seattle branch of the Huo Corporation. Inside the conference room. Huo Yunting was in the middle of a discussion with department heads about the branch's direction for the next quarter when his phone suddenly rang. Seeing the caller was his mother, Cheng Shumin, he frowned. "Let's take five," he announced, rising from his seat. He stepped out of the room and answered. Immediately, Cheng Shumin’s disgruntled voice came through the phone. "Yunting, I've been to the villa several times looking for Chi Muzhen, but she's never home. Did you two have a fight? Is she ignoring me on purpose to make a point?!" Cheng Shumin’s voice was laced with indignation and anger. She had never liked Chi Muzhen, and this only soured her opinion further. Huo Yunting’s brow furrowed. He had been so swamped with work in Seattle that he’d barely had time to breathe. For the first few days, he had waited for Chi Muzhen to call and apologize, but as he got busier, he had pushed the matter to the back of his mind. It was only now, with his mother’s call, that he realized a full month had passed without a single word from her. That had never happened before. "I'll call her in a bit. Did you need her for something?" "Your grandmother's birthday is coming up," Cheng Shumin said irritably. "I was going to ask her to help me pick out a gift, but who knew I'd be met with a locked door every single time. If only you had married Xuanxuan, then..." "I get it," Huo Yunting cut in, his tone flat. "I'll call her. I'll get back to you later." After hanging up, he found Chi Muzhen’s number and dialed. He tried several times, but the line was always busy. Huo Yunting's face instantly darkened. It was obvious: Chi Muzhen had blocked him. Suppressing a surge of anger, he turned to his assistant, Ke Ning. "Call Chi Muzhen's number." "Right away." Ke Ning's call went through, but no one answered. Watching his boss's expression grow stormier by the second, Ke Ning braced himself. "Mr. Huo... she's not picking up..." "I see," Huo Yunting said, his voice cold. "I'm going back to the meeting. You contact the villa's property management." An hour later, as Huo Yunting stepped out of the conference room, Ke Ning approached him tentatively. "Sir, the property management said that Miss Chi left with her suitcase the day after you left for your business trip." Because Huo Yunting and Chi Muzhen's marriage was a secret, Ke Ning had always referred to her as Miss Chi. The title had never bothered Huo Yunting before, but now, it made him frown instinctively. Shoving down the unsettling feeling in his gut, Huo Yunting said coldly, "Find out where she is now. And book the next flight back to the country." "Understood. And Miss Chi Xuan... will she be returning with us?"